Fierce Love: The Response to Our Prayers (Nitzavim/VaYelech)
As we stand on the threshold of this final Shabbat of the Jewish year, we find ourselves united in a time of profound reflection and heartache. Today, we send our hearts to everyone in danger’s path, starting with our beloved hostages. They are our family, and we pray fervently that they are brought home soon. 101 people — citizens from 24 countries — some still clinging to life. We want you home. There is no comparing one danger to another, but I’m thinking of so many today: those in Florida enduring a massive storm, families in Georgia dealing with flash floods, and the people of northern Israel who still haven’t returned home safely. Last night, my family in Tel Aviv, my sister’s family included, was woken up by a ballistic missile fired from Yemen aimed right at the heart of Israel.
This is not a time of simple concerns, and I know many of us are carrying heavy burdens, each in our own way. I invite you to remember that wherever you are and whatever you’re facing, our community is large enough, strong enough, and loving enough to hold space for you. We can’t solve every pain, but we care. Deeply. Actively. As a community, we strive to do what we can, even if we can’t fix everything.
In this moment, I hope that you and yours are safe. I hope you’ll take care of yourselves, and I hope you’ll give strength to our community as we aim to be a healing force in this fractured world. This isn’t the only place where good is happening, but I have witnessed us do the unimaginable in the face of the unimaginable. We’ve raised hundreds of millions to distribute to those in need, come together to care for each other, and built the strength of our people, day after day, even in this incredibly challenging year.
Tomorrow night marks the beginning of the High Holidays with Selichot, where we’ll gather late at night to sing, pray, and inspire each other. But it’s also a moment to say goodbye — and good riddance — to a year that has tested us beyond measure. This year has been difficult, and Jewish history will mark it as one of trial. Yet, through it all, we’ve shown resilience. We’ve stood strong in New York City, Washington, D.C., and in Tel Aviv, gathering in numbers that have reflected our powerful unity and unwavering solidarity.
Alongside the hardship, we have also seen the stirring of something powerful. We’ve read recently in Deuteronomy, where the Torah reminds us of what leadership should be. Just a few weeks ago, we encountered the rules meant to keep leaders humble. The only person commanded to embody humility in the Torah is the king, modeled after Moses. But this is a time for not just humility — it is a time for accountability.
In this week’s double Torah portion, Nitzavim-Vayelech, we witness a pivotal moment of leadership: the transition between Moses and Joshua. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks of blessed memory pointed out the difference in the blessings given to Joshua by Moses and by God. Moses tells Joshua, “Atah Tavo (Deut. 31:7),” “you will come with the people.” God, however, says, “Atah Tavi (Deut. 31:23),” “you will bring the people.” It’s not even an entire letter that separates these two words — it’s the difference between a short “yud” and a full “vav.” But the nuance, as Rashi explains and Rabbi Sacks amplifies, is critical. Moses teaches that leadership is about consensus, consulting the elders, and walking with the people. God, on the other hand, tells Joshua that there are moments when you must lead by decree, even when it’s difficult, even when it goes against the collective will. In times of war or crisis, leadership must be decisive. And, as we witness in countless ways, when it departs from the collective’s sense of its own welfare, the group’s voices must be organized and voluminous.
Friends, we stand in such a moment. We are called to lead, to move forward with clarity, to make hard decisions for the sake of our children and their children. We’ve seen the strength of our people in Israel, how the IDF has regained the confidence of its people, and how North American Jewry has aligned with Israel like never before. We must continue to demand strong, values-driven leadership from those in power, for our children’s sakes.
As we prepare for Rosh Hashanah, may we reflect on what true leadership looks like. May we be guided by Torah’s lessons and by our deepest values. May we, as a global people, find our way through this time together. And may we be written — and write ourselves! — into the Book of Life — our families, our communities, our world — each with our unique handwriting. May this coming year be one of safety, healing, and peace.
Shabbat Shalom. Let’s lift our voices in prayer and song, and let us face this new year with courage and fierce love for our family.
Together, let’s be the response to the prayers we shout to Heaven.
May we be blessed. May we lead with strength and compassion. And may we be part of the healing this world so desperately needs.